Episodes - From the Horse's Mouth: Intrepid Conversations with Phil Fersht

From the Horse's Mouth: Season 1

As technology rapidly evolves, the world has undergone a significant transformation. Society has shifted from being human-centered to a complex web of digital automation, AI, and human workers who support it. This rapid innovation outpaces regulations and threatens social mobility.

The rise of AI presents a critical challenge: how can businesses and policymakers ensure that AI enhances, rather than hinders, human creativity and innovation? Automating routine tasks could free up people for roles requiring creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence, but it demands a focus on continuous learning and digital literacy.

The first season of From the Horse’s Mouth: Unbridled Tech Talks with Phil Fersht explores the intersection of AI, work, and society, aiming to shape the future.

EPISODE 2 – RIPTIDE OF CHANGE: HEATHER E. MCGOWAN
Best-selling Author of ‘The Empathy Advantage: Leading the Empowered Workforce’ 

EPISODE 1.3 – THE GREAT EQUALIZER: RAVI KUMAR S
CEO of Cognizant

EPISODE 1.2 – BURNING PLATFORM: JOHN HAGEL III
Founder and Chair Emiterus of Deloitte’s Center for the Edge

EPISODE 1.1 – A KERNEL OF TRUTH: LAURA GASSNER OTTING
Wall St Journal best-selling author of ‘Wonderhell’, a regular contributor to Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, and Oprah Daily.

Horse's for Sources

With over 100,000 subscribed readers, Horses for Sources is the widely acclaimed industry-leading independent blog of world-renowned writer and visionary Phil Fersht. Started in 2007, the blog shares Phil’s personal views on all issues IT, outsourcing, and globalisation.

Phil is not shy about calling it like he sees it. In addition to discussing his views on technologies and trends in the market, Phil has also been a loud voice calling out issues like hype in the market, unfair corporate policies, and lack of innovation in the analyst industry. Horses for Sources shares Phil’s personal views with a wide range of people across the globe.

HFS Research

HFS is a leading global research and analysis firm trusted at the highest levels of executive leadership. Our mission is to help our clients—major enterprises, tech firms, and service providers—tackle challenges, make bold moves, and bring big ideas to life by arming them with accurate, visionary, and thought-provoking insight into issues that impact their business.

From the Horse’s Mouth has headquarter offices in both Boston, MA and Cambridge, UK, and we are available for travel, speaking engagements, and interviews.

EPISODE 2 – RIPTIDE OF CHANGE: HEATHER E. MCGOWAN

Best-selling Author of ‘The Empathy Advantage: Leading the Empowered Workforce’

In the latest episode of From the Horse’s Mouth, Phil Fersht sits down with Heather E. McGowan to discuss the powerful currents reshaping the world of work. They explore how the “riptide of change”—a convergence of rapid technological advances, shifting demographics, and evolving societal norms—is impacting human connections in the workplace. Heather offers insights on how leaders can navigate these forces by fostering empathy, purpose, and genuine relationships within their teams. They also examine the role of generative AI, considering how to integrate new technologies without losing the human element essential for innovation and resilience.

Listeners will come away with practical strategies for embracing change instead of resisting it. Heather highlights that by nurturing empathy and authentic connections, leaders can steer their organizations through uncertain waters. The episode wraps up with actionable advice on harmonizing technological advancements with the human touch, empowering teams to become more adaptable, united, and ready to face the future.

EPISODE 1.3 – THE GREAT EQUALIZER: RAVI KUMAR S

CEO of Cognizant

In this episode, Phil Fersht interviews Ravi Kumar, CEO of Cognizant, to examine the shifting dynamics of the tech services industry. They explore whether the recent industry slowdown is a fleeting downturn or indicative of deeper structural changes, while also unpacking the ripple effects of rising capital costs and geopolitical turbulence. Ravi talks about how companies are recalibrating their focus toward more sustainable, value-driven technology investments, moving away from discretionary spending.

Drawing on a study with Oxford Economics, Ravi challenges the common narrative of AI as a mere cost-cutting tool, positioning it instead as a catalyst for amplifying human potential, bridging productivity gaps, and driving economic growth. He draws parallels to past tech revolutions like offshoring and cloud adoption but argues that AI holds a deeper promise – one that could not only streamline operations but also dismantle technical debt and revolutionize software development processes. The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on the global talent landscape, focusing on the rise of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India, and how AI could act as a great equalizer – opening up opportunities and democratizing access for talent across skill levels and geographies.

EPISODE 1.2 – BURNING PLATFORM: JOHN HAGEL III

Founder and Chair Emiterus of Deloitte’s Center for the Edge

In this razor-sharp episode, Phil sits down with John Hagel III, a seasoned technology leader with over 40 years in Silicon Valley, to explore the deep-rooted changes shaping the tech industry. Reflecting on his decades of experience, from founding Deloitte’s Center for the Edge to senior roles at Atari and McKinsey, Hagel offers a unique lens on the rapid evolution of technology. They discuss the pivotal role of AI in today’s landscape, comparing the current wave of innovation to the early days of the internet, while emphasizing the interconnected nature of emerging technologies like quantum computing. Hagel also challenges the traditional motivations behind technological adoption, contrasting fear-driven urgency with the potential of opportunity-driven transformation. He examines why most decision-makers are hesitant about AI, even as it promises exponential change.

Throughout the conversation, Hagel critiques the slow pace of enterprise innovation, highlighting the burden of legacy systems and technical debt. He advocates for a shift from “scalable efficiency” models to “scalable learning,” suggesting that the future lies in nurturing adaptability and growth rather than focusing solely on cost-cutting.In closing, Hagel underscores the importance of bridging the gap between technological progress and human adaptation, pushing organizations to overcome fear and embrace the endless possibilities that come with digital innovation and the profound societal shifts that lie ahead.

EPISODE 1.1 – A KERNEL OF TRUTH: LAURA GASSNER OTTING

Wall St Journal best-selling author of ‘Wonderhell’, a regular contributor to Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, and Oprah Daily.

Searching amongst the digital rubble for a kernel of truth, Phil Fersht and bestselling author and regular contributor to Good Morning America, Laura Gassner Otting dismantle the myths of modern work culture, dissecting everything from post-pandemic office politics to the raw truths of leadership. They challenge the notion of “following your passion,” exposing the grit behind true perseverance.

With insights grounded in both global assessments and personal experience, Phil and Laura offer an unapologetic critique of today’s workplace dynamics, the growing disconnect between leadership and employees, and the unvarnished effort required to align personal ambition with organizational impact. This episode dares listeners to rethink what it truly means to lead, engage, and grow in a world that’s constantly shifting beneath our feet.